Jury selection starts in cocaine case

Jury selection started Tuesday in the trial of a Lewisburg man accused in a cocaine case.

Randall W. Keel, 56, of Highland Avenue, is charged with possession of a Schedule II drug with intent to sell and deliver it.

Agents of the 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force went to Keel's home in March 2009, according to documents in his case file.

"A consensual search of the residence resulted in the discovery of approximately one gram of powder cocaine that was packaged for resale," Agent Chad Webster wrote in an arrest warrant for Keel.

"Keel fully admitted to selling 4-8 grams of cocaine per week from before October 2008 to present day," Webster wrote.

Keel gave the name of his drug source to Agent Tim Miller, Webster said. And Keel "showed a willingness to cooperate with the Drug Task Force in targeting his source of supply of cocaine," the public record shows.

Keel also admitted some of the cocaine was for personal use, according to the same document.

Keel's criminal record is from the 1980s and '90s, with convictions on drug charges, assault, driving under the influence, and probation violation, according to records in the case file. He has no convictions since 1998, and is employed by a local businessman.

Keel allegedly sold powder cocaine to a confidential informant working for the 17th JDDTF in October 2008, but he is not on trial for that. Keel is represented by attorney by L. Gilbert Anglin of Murfreesboro.